Ozarks Writers League 30th Anniversary
with Missy Ann
Friday morning November 15th, we
were up and ready to head to the Blackbird Café at the Donald W. Reynolds
Library for breakfast muffins, drink and chit-chat. It was so warm and cozy we
lingered enjoying the moment before we headed to Ozarks Writers League OWL) 30th
anniversary celebration week-end.
We stopped in Yellville at the Palette Art
League to see their 1st Annual Quilt and Artisan Bazaar featuring
handcrafted items created by 230 Ozark Artisans - Amazing
items.
As we arrived in Harrison, we debated how
far it was to Eureka Springs and did we have time to go. We decide sure – why
not. We visited a couple of our favorite
shops: Wilson and Wilson Folk Art (Family
of artist) and the darling shop Enjoy
Something Simple; they are such friendly
people. Before traveling on North 23, we had a bite to eat at a Subway.
Gosh, I didn’t know it was somewhat of a
long route to return back to Highway 65 N. But, it was enjoyable visiting and
singing over and over to Missy’s new cd filled with special hymns she picked up
on the way down at Cracker Barrel.
We
arrived at Historical Downtown Hollister about 4:30 p.m. at the beautiful Ye
Olde English Inn, own and recently renovated by novelist Janet Dailey. I signed us in and we visited with OWL
members filling the lounge. It was fun
seeing so many I hadn’t for about a year. Missy, carried our things up to our
suite – (The Winslow) and a little later we sat in the hallway lounge where we
had coffee and coco. I met author K.D. McCrite. Later, said hi to Chuck Butkus (President
Twin Lakes Writers) and his wife, plus Jory and Charlotte Sherman.
We
went downstairs to the main lounge after changing for the banquet: more visiting,
photo taking while we listen to the talent Possum Holler Fiddlers. The dinner
and contest awards started a 6:30. (Twin lakes Writers won some awards) We had
a great time and I picked up a free poetry book, “French Quarter at Eight” by
John W. Crawford.
Saturday morning we were up early to eat
breakfast at the Inn, packed the car to head out to the Collage of the Ozarks
to sign-in by 9:00 to listen to speakers and elect officers. We ate lunch at The
Keefer Center and return for more OWL programs. Missy won the door prize – a journal
and the OWL’s CD of the slide show of Ozark Writers League 30th
Anniversary (She was so kind to allow me to have it). For a short time I promoted Pat Durman’s (Free Verse Poetry Group) new book “Lights and
Shadows in a Nursing Home” found on http://www.createspace.com/4509795
.
We left a little early to drive around
Branson, didn’t linger long lots of traffic.
When
we got close to home we stopped near Cotter at a shop we enjoy and home to go
to Gaston’s Resort on the White River for our last dinner together. Enjoyed the
food and the view as a large full Harvest Moon centered in the sky above the
White River as it ran a bead of light down the river – it was beautiful!
Missy left for home the next morning in
the wake of high wind and tornados. She passed near the town of Washington
after the damage was done. She said it looked like a war zone. With the phone close
by and the weather station on, I stay glued until she called as she neared
home. I am so thankful to God for her safe trip.
We made wonderful memories and looking
forward to her trip next year. Each year I would like to have each grandkid make
the trip so I could make sweet memories with each one.
